Google is holding an event on October 4 where they’re expected to reveal their two new flagship phones, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. It looks like phones aren’t the only thing on the agenda because Droid Life has leaked information about a new smart speaker that is also expected to be revealed that day. The new device, called the Google Home Mini, will compete directly with Amazon’s Echo Dot.

The Google Home Mini appears to resemble a squashed down version of the larger Google Home speaker. It will come in three colors, Chalk (white), Charcoal (black), and Coral. While the Home Mini appears to have the same fabric top as the larger Google Home, it does not appear as though the base will be interchangeable.

It’s difficult to tell the exact dimensions of the Home Mini from the images, but it appears as though four lights will peak through its soft top to give the user a visual indication of what the smart speaker is doing. The wire coming out of the back suggests it will not have a built-in battery.

The Google Home Mini is said to cost $49 when it is released, making it an obvious competitor to the Amazon Echo Dot, which has the same price. Amazon is expected to release at least one new Echo device this year, but I have my doubts that the Echo Dot will be updated.

If anything, this new Google Home Mini could give Amazon a reason to lower the price of the existing Echo Dot if they, in fact, don’t plan to update it for another year. Amazon lowered the existing Fire TV 2 price from $99.99 to $89.99 when competing devices, like the Chromecast Ultra and Mi Box, were released. The existing Echo Dot could see a similar price reduction to stave off competition from the Home Mini, although I think that’s unlikely since it’s Amazon’s best-selling device.

Yes, with Google I can upload all of my music, including my custom recordings of friend’s bands and listen through my phone. Amazon doesn’t allow that without paying, and even then I’m not sure I could upload the custom mp3’s. Google does, but there are not skills that run with Alexa without running a server that I’ve found.
This device from Google could be a big step for them, and just think if they eventually added some of the Amazon ordering, etc. I could see them doing that.
Amazon needs to allow more services to work with Alexa or it could be in trouble down the road. My opinion only of course.